UN Extends Mission to Libya, but Only Until January

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
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UN Extends Mission to Libya, but Only Until January

FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
FILE PHOTO: Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, US, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution extending its political mission in Libya -- but only until January 31, shortly after the country is to stage its presidential election, after a fierce struggle between Britain and London over the text.

The 15-member Council had been on track to extend the mission in mid-September for a year, key in the run-up to elections on December 24, which are intended to turn the page on a decade of war.

But a dispute erupted between Britain and Russia, both of which have veto-wielding power on the Council, AFP reported.

Moscow rejected the language in a resolution drafted by London that would have called for the withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries from Libya, as well as a clause on the future of the UN envoy to Libya.

Mired in the standoff, the Security Council was forced to technically extend the mission's mandate by 15 days, until September 30, to give more time for negotiations between Moscow and London -- but the talks were in vain.

On Wednesday, Moscow once again threatened to veto the resolution as amended. And then Russia pushed the issue even further by putting forth its own text in a rare act of defiance.

After an emergency meeting on Thursday between the five permanent members of the Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- they adopted an abbreviated resolution, extending the mission until January 31, 2022.

Western and African members of the Council deplored the outcome on Thursday.

The United States called it "unfortunate," while Kenya called for an African to lead the process.



US Confirms Death of American in West Bank in Israeli Settler Attack

Women inspect the site of a burnt house and torched vehicles following a spree of violent rampage by Israeli settlers overnight that left one dead Palestinian American, a burnt house and several torched vehicles in three Palestinian towns, in the West Bank town of Silwad, east of Ramallah Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP)
Women inspect the site of a burnt house and torched vehicles following a spree of violent rampage by Israeli settlers overnight that left one dead Palestinian American, a burnt house and several torched vehicles in three Palestinian towns, in the West Bank town of Silwad, east of Ramallah Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP)
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US Confirms Death of American in West Bank in Israeli Settler Attack

Women inspect the site of a burnt house and torched vehicles following a spree of violent rampage by Israeli settlers overnight that left one dead Palestinian American, a burnt house and several torched vehicles in three Palestinian towns, in the West Bank town of Silwad, east of Ramallah Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP)
Women inspect the site of a burnt house and torched vehicles following a spree of violent rampage by Israeli settlers overnight that left one dead Palestinian American, a burnt house and several torched vehicles in three Palestinian towns, in the West Bank town of Silwad, east of Ramallah Thursday, July 31, 2025. (AP)

The US State Department on Sunday confirmed an American citizen had died this week in the West Bank, with family and Palestinian officials attributing his death to arson by Israeli settlers.

The Palestinian Authority and witnesses reported on Thursday that Israeli settlers had set fire to homes and cars in the West Bank village of Silwad, the latest attack in the occupied territory.

Khamis Ayyad, 41, died from smoke inhalation due to the fires, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Speaking Friday at a press conference in Chicago, Ayyad's family said he had moved to the West Bank several years ago with his wife and children, but continued to work for an American company.

He is at least the second American citizen killed in West Bank settler violence in July, after a 20-year-old man was beaten to death while visiting family in the town of Sinjil.

Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, demanded Israel investigate that killing, calling it a "criminal and terrorist act," but has yet to comment on the death of Ayyad.

Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said "several suspects... set fire to property and vehicles in the Silwad area," but forces dispatched to the scene were unable to identify them.

It added that Israeli police had launched an investigation.

Asked for comment on the latest death, a State Department spokesperson said "we can confirm the death of a US citizen in the town of Silwad in the West Bank," without naming Ayyad.

"We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity.

The West Bank is home to some three million Palestinians, who live alongside about 500,000 Israeli settlers.

Violence in the territory has surged throughout the Gaza war triggered by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel.